Working in the Sport Sector - Coursework Example

Career Development Plan in the Sports Sector Introduction Managing one's career has never been as important as it is today. The necessity for toning up the abilities and skills required to stay fit in the competition are increasingly realized by the young generation. Students should plan to participate in a professional job environment even before they enter the job market. They should learn to dig the well before they thirst'. They have to learn to navigate their interests towards their career. The security of one's career lies in the skills that one builds over time. To reach the destination point in the career path of an individual, a proper panning and development of his/her career is very essential. For that, the individual must determine his/her career goal in the beginning and strive to attain the goal through planning and implementation. Therefore, it is necessary to look upon how one can determine a career goal, develop a plan and strategies to achieve the goal and keep oneself ahead in the dynamic environment of job market. The present work discusses and exhibits the basic issues on career planning and development in detail and how one is able to develop a career plan who wish to attain a job in the sports sector. Preparing for a Career One can prepare for a career in a variety of ways. Some careers are normally entered through an apprenticeship, vocational school, or on-the-job training program. Others require either a four-year or five-year college degree. One should know the educational requirements for his chosen career; where are the appropriate schools located What are the entrance requirements How long is the training Such information can be had from the official websites of governmental and non-governmental agencies. Other helpful resources include College Souvenirs, news papers and sources such as Sports Council/Development authorities/Clubs etc. Career Outlook The job openings in a given field generally depend on a number of factors, especially the rate of growth or decline in the field, the need to replace workers who retire and changes in technology, societal factors. Each year a number of new jobs open up. Some of them are expected to grow faster than the average; some are expected to grow more slowly than the average. Therefore, everyone should keep in mind that his/her own career outlook involves a number of factors like the unusual opportunities available to him/her, his/her special abilities and experience, and especially his/her personal drive. Sometimes, it may be difficult to change career goals for many reasons. However, one should weigh the short-term losses with the long-term goals. If he/she realizes that a small sacrifice now may greatly increase his career satisfaction for the rest of his life, he should go for a change. In the US, roughly one worker in nine changes his or her career each year. In most cases, the positive gains far outweigh the costs involved, for there is nothing to compare with really enjoying what one does in life, and being paid for it as well. Career Development Career development is the formal way of planning one's career and its development over a period of time to attain the career goal. It involves the determination of different career moves along the career path in order to achieve the career goal. "Career development is about your individual career path - planning ahead in your career, identifying your next and future moves, working out if there are any gaps in your existing skills and experience, and finding ways to fill these so that you can achieve your career aims, but also enjoy your work and find the right balance between your life and career" (Career Development, para2) How to prepare a Career Development Plan Create a career development plan to articulate your SMART goals and plan concrete steps to achieve them. 1. Reflect on your career Reread past performance reviews, talk with your supervisor about your strengths, skills and interests and use the following questions to help you get started. Where are you in your career Are you just starting out, experienced or an expert What have you valued about previous work experiences What are your strengths What are your skills Which skills are transferable to other careers What interests you Where do your skills, strengths, and interests intersect 2. Set SMART goals SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Resonate and Timely. Traditionally, SMART goals were realistic as opposed to resonant. But recent research has shown that goal achievement is not the result of setting realistic goals, but rather setting goals in alignment with one's values and authentic desires. 3. Develop skills and build knowledge Training classes can be an important way to develop your skills and knowledge. Consider other approaches as well including mentoring, cross-training, coaching, stretch assignments, leading a project team, serving on a committee, becoming involved in a professional association, attending conferences, computer-based training, interviews, books, and academic degree programs. 4. Identify important resources Do you need funds or time to attend a training class, conference, or participate in an academic degree program Would it help to discuss/review this plan with your supervisor or mentor The Role of Career Counseling Cells These are the days for career consultancies and planners and the individual's growth also depends on the ability to project its capabilities and skills towards promoting the career. Like academics department, every educational institution needs to have a counseling cell, which could rise to the occasion of meeting the student needs and aspirations about their career and life. Making them aware of growth options' and channels' occupies the prime attention in counseling job, which, makes them to keep themselves ahead in the job market and try to maintain the pace and progress in education and development. Lack of proper direction in academic schedules and career ambition for most of the students, inevitably, makes them to lag behind. Sensitizing their duties and responsibilities needs to be done as part of promoting career, which alone generates bonds of loyalty between society and individual. The darkness over the opportunities and options spread across the country's job market needs to be dispelled and the student's mind needs to be illuminated with clear-cut analysis of trends in the sector where he/she is interested to get a job. The focus should be on unfolding the hidden talents according to the requirements and that is what a sharp intellectual practice. The career counselors should embark upon the job of inspiring the students by drawing their attention towards emerging trends in various fields. Even the aspirants also should feel free to put forth their claims and objectives before the cell, which enables the management to understand the pulse of the organization. Career Contentment As more attention is needed on the element of human psychology' that moulds individuals towards career path, one needs to identify the impact of job profile on the satisfaction levels. It is often found that most of the skilled workers in knowledge-based industrial sector are not happy with the salary packs and concerned about the nature and domain of the job they perform. If there is no scope for upward mobility and unearthing of skills and talents, they tend to develop the feeling of monotony, which, in the long run, drives them towards alternative career options suitable to their whims and fancies. Especially the upcoming programmers in software fields look for challenging assignments like software development' rather than customer support, says Syed Rajak a California-based US software engineer. While recalling his past experiences during his stay with Cisco Inc., he emphasized on the element of contentment' that makes individuals to draft their destiny. As long as the IT professional is happy with the job given to him, there will be no measurable decline in output and quality. But the moment he finds the job boring and mechanical with no scope for application of brain and creativity, he tends to develop a kind of sickness which leads to deterioration in dedication standards. According to his analysis, this change in perception towards job also affects the quality of the project. On the other hand, colorfulness of the job motivates people to find out alternative options leading to learning of advanced packages and tools. Therefore the career graph of knowledge workers is always dependent on learning axis', which in turn is determined by contentment, says Rajak. Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage and contentment traits, he further adds. Have Control on One's Career The aim is for everyone to take control of his or her own career. One has to steer one's career towards the achievement of one's own satisfaction. It is said that "greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right use of strength." How true! The Chinese philosopher, Confucius, is believed to have made this statement on how to go about one's work. He said: "Do what you like, and you'll have a hobby, enjoy your work and its fruits." Indeed, doing what one likes and ensuring that the work matches with one's personality and interests is the secret for a happy and successful life. If one is an extrovert, then find some work in which one has opportunities to relate with people. If one is an introvert, then do some back-office work, or work that does not involve much contact with people. One has to build one's strengths and reflect those skills and strengths in one's work and resume. Additionally, one has to think in this way Career Development Plan for an Athlete Period Goals Skills and/or Knowledge Needed Resources Needed Next Steps Timeline Short-range (1 year) Improved performance in the domestic and national athletics. Achieve recognition from the sports authority to move ahead with confidence. The ability to continue practice, Good personal wellness, The knowledge on various aspects of sports and games Financial, and Moral Support , Track for Practicing, Supporting and encouraging Coach Try to become more powerful in my area and equip with more speed and timing. One to six months Mid-range (2 years) To be a National Winner with recognition from the Government and Sports Authority The knowledge to create more physical fitness and stamina, the ability to work hard, ambitious Finance, Practicing Facilities, An experienced Coach Improve the speed and timing to get selected for participating in the qualifying round. Six months to One year Long-range (3-5 years) I would like to be a world renowned Athlete with zeal to conquer all records in my event. 2. Physical fitness, enhanced stamina, the knowledge to enhance speed on the track, the rules and regulations of international games and athletics Finance to meet the expenses to participate international games, An experienced Coach etc. Will try to maintain the same zeal and achievement Two to three years (Source: Personal Career Development Plan) The Personal and Country's Strength to Achieve the Career Goal Physical Strength Physically fit and Competent to participate Mental Strength Capable to face any challenges and prepared to undergo rigorous practice Negotiation Skill Speaking with clarity, clarifying misunderstanding and listening effectively Incentives Private- and public-sector facilities to be used for activities for priority groups. Practicing Facilities Adequate ground and Track with modern amenities Government Support Develop local authority sub-regional partnership relationships that maximize the sharing of sports facilities Non-governmental agencies Professional clubs within London in all supported sports to carry out engagement programmes in their local communities. Educational Support Establish two hours of sporting activity per pupil per week in 75% of schools. School Level orientation Teacher and classroom assistants to be appropriately trained in the delivery of sport and physical activity. A PE-qualified specialist/co-coordinators to be appointed in every primary school or cluster of schools. Enthusiasm at the outset Increase the choice of sporting activity in schools including innovative ideas for priority groups Additional Support opportunities for free public transport for education-based sports activity Developing, helping, teaching, Encouraging, guiding, and evaluating others, explaining and/or training others Demonstrating new ideas or skills, creating an environment for learning and growth. Individual Career Self-assessment Education Schools Courses I liked Courses I Disliked Academic Strengths Academic Weaknesses Extracurricular Activities 1 2 3 4 Skill 1 2 3 Work Experience Job Degree of Satisfaction What I Liked What I Disliked Why I Left 1 2 3 4 The most important needs I want to satisfy in my career are: 1 2 3 4 These needs can be satisfied in the following general areas: 1 2 3 4 Whatever job I have, the following values should not have to be compromised: 1 2 3 The following constraints must be considered (minimum salary, geographic preferences, size of organization, etc.): 1 2 3 4 Specific jobs that would be compatible with the above requirements are: 1 2 3 4 References Bay Monterey, n.d., Career Development Plan, Benefits and Professional Development, Viewed 12 December 2008, Career Development (2008), Managing User Experience Teams, A user's Guide, Viewed 14 December 2008, Career Development, n.d., Coaching life.com, Viewed 13 December 2008, Career Development, n.d., Bnet Business Dictionary, Bnet.com, Viewed 13 December 2008, Kusy Jr. E. Mitchellhttp and Robert H.Rouda, n.d., Personal Career Management Planning- Career Development, Viewed 12 December 2008, Personal Career Development Plan, n.d, Viewed 12 December 2008, Sports Employment Plan (2007), The Sports Employment Development Agreement, Viewed 13 December 2008, Read More